Complex Rational
Expressions
By Ma, Louise De Las Penas
complex rational expression has rational expressions in its numerator or its denominator
A trboth: Real that by a rational expression, we mean a quotient of two polynomials
‘Some examples of complex rational expressions are the following
1
’
We give below two methods of simplifying complex rational expressions.
Simplifying Complex Rational Expressions
Method 1.
a. Find the least common denominator (LCD) of all the denominators within the complex rational
expression.
b. Multiply by 1. Use the LCD as the numerator and the denominator of the expression for 1.
Method 2:
a, First add or subtract, if needed to get a single rational expression in the numerator and in the
denominator.
b. Divide by multiplying by the reciprocal of the denominator.
Example: Simplify 7 »
am
¥
Solution.
Method 1.
a. The LCD of the four rational expressions in the numerator and the denominator is
xy
xy’
xy
b, We multiply numerator and denominator by 1 using